Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

Ian didn't contact us for two months at first.

Latour comforted himself, thinking that things in the wizarding world couldn't be measured in mortal time.

My son is definitely busy; he might be in seclusion or on a mission.

Three months, four months, six months... still no news.

The managers fell silent, but the worry and doubt in their eyes were unmistakable.

Rumors began to circulate in the territory that the Earl's youngest son had died in the Wizard Wars, that the Marcus family no longer had wizards backing them up, and that the magic stone mine was due for a change of ownership.

Lord Holden was the first to test the waters.

He sent men "passing through" Black Rock Canyon, where they clashed with the miners and injured three of them.

Latour personally led his guard over and used his strength as a Grand Knight and his status as a count to quell the situation.

But Lord Holden was just a pawn; the real big fish was yet to come.

The shadow of the Kingdom's Minister of Finance looms large, and merchant groups from neighboring countries also want a piece of the pie.

Magic stones have limited uses in the mortal world, but they are still the rarest resource. They can be exchanged for gold coins, favors, and everything that nobles want.

"Father." The study door was pushed open, and the eldest son, Vincent, walked in.

Vincent is twenty years old and has already taken over some of the territory's affairs.

He looks like his mother, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a tall, straight figure.

The knight's skill level makes him stand out among his peers, but there is an unconcealable weariness in his eyes.

"Holden wrote again?" Vincent asked.

"Hmm." Latour tossed the letter onto the table. "Reply within ten days."

"We can't agree to that," Vincent said, his voice tense.

"Once the mine is handed over, the family's annual income will decrease by a third, and... what if Ian comes back and needs magic stones?"

Latour looked at his son.

"Vincent," he said slowly, "what if Ian doesn't come back?"

The study was quiet for a few seconds.

"He will definitely come back," Vincent said, but his confidence was wavering.

Latour stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window was the castle’s inner courtyard, where guards patrolled and maids carried trays through the corridors; everything seemed normal.

But he knew that outside the wall, the jackals had already bared their teeth.

"Holdon's guards advanced another ten miles north yesterday," Latour said.

"The caravan from White River City deliberately bypassed our tax checkpoint, and word came from the capital that the finance minister is 'very interested' in Black Rock Canyon."

He turned to Vincent: "They're waiting for the day we can't hold on any longer."

"We can call for reinforcements," Vincent said. "There are several earls to the west with whom we have marriage alliances..."

"It's no use," Latour interrupted him.

"Without a wizard's backing, those marriages are just a piece of paper. Now everyone thinks Ian is dead or useless."

A family without a wizard is seen as a piece of easy prey by nobles.

Vincent clenched his fist.

"Then we'll hold out to the death," he said. "The territory's guard has five hundred men, and there's food stored in the castle. We can last for six months."

"And what about six months from now?" Latour asked.

Vincent couldn't answer.

The door opened again, and Countess Enoya entered. She carried a tray with tea and pastries on it.

Her face was somewhat pale, but her posture remained dignified.

"You two, father and son, stop talking about these heavy things."

She placed the tray on the table, forced a smile, and said, "Have some tea first."

Latour took her hand and felt her trembling slightly.

"Mother, don't worry," Vincent said.

"How can I not worry?" Ainuya's voice was a little choked up.

"Ian... we haven't heard from him for a year. That kid has always been a worry, but every time he wrote, he would say he was trying and told us not to worry. But now..."

She couldn't continue.

Latour's eyes also dimmed as he gently patted her back.

A commotion came from outside the window.

Vincent walked to the window and looked out, his expression changing drastically: "It's Holden's men! They're at the city gate!"

Latour released his wife and strode to the window.

Three carriages and more than twenty mounted guards were parked in the open space outside the castle gate.

The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes, who was negotiating with the guards at the gate.

"Holden's butler," Vincent gritted his teeth, "he actually dared to come here in person!"

"Of course he dares." Latour turned and took his sword from the wall.

"Without wizards, the title of earl is just a thin veil to them. Vincent, go and gather the guards. Enoya, go back to your room and don't come out."

"Father……"

"Go quickly!"

Vincent ran out.

Enoya grabbed Latour's arm: "Be careful, don't be impulsive, they're just here to put pressure on us..."

"I know," Latour gently pried her hands away, "but there are some bottom lines that cannot be crossed."

He stepped out of the study, where a vast collection of fantasy novels awaited him.

The servants in the corridor lowered their heads when they saw him, but their eyes betrayed their fear.

They all sensed that the Marcus family might not be able to hold on much longer.

At the city gate, Holden's butler Richard, with a polite but arrogant smile, watched Latour walk out.

"Good day, Earl Marcus." He bowed slightly, but the movement was so small as to be almost imperceptible.

"Butler Richard, what brings you here?"

Latour's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the aura of a great knight subtly emanating from him.

"My lord sent me here to discuss the Blackrock Canyon matter with you again."

Richard said, "The Marquis understands your hard work in maintaining the mine and is willing to offer 10,000 gold coins to buy the mining rights."

This price is enough to cover your family's expenses for ten years.

Ten thousand gold coins.

Latour almost burst out laughing.

Aside from magic stones, that mine produces other crude ores worth over a thousand gold coins per month, and their value increases even more after purification.

Ten thousand gold coins? This is outright robbery.

"Not for sale," he said.

Richard's smile faded slightly. "Your Excellency, please reconsider. The situation is turbulent right now; guarding a mine might not be a good thing, and besides..."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "I heard that your youngest son is at the Shadowmoon Tower, and it seems we haven't heard from him for a long time."

The wizarding world is dangerous; accidents happen to young people all the time.

Latour's fingers gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Say it again.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Marcus's guards held their weapons, and Holden's bodyguards took a step forward.

Richard took a half step back, but his smile remained unchanged.

"I am merely stating the facts, Your Excellency. Without the backing of a wizard, some things cannot be protected. Your Excellency is offering this friendly reminder; please do not misunderstand."

"Goodwill?" Vincent approached from the side with about twenty guards.

Standing in front of his father, he said, "Bringing twenty guards to block the city gate, is that what you call goodwill?"

"It's for protection," Richard said. "After all, the roads aren't safe."

He glanced at the sky and said, "Well then, Your Excellency, I'll give you five days to consider."

Five days later, you'll either take 10,000 gold coins and leave, or... the Marquis might come to 'visit' in person.

This is a blatant threat.

Latour stared at him and said, word by word, "Get out."

Richard stopped smiling, gave a perfunctory bow, and turned to walk towards the carriage.

The convoy slowly drove away, raising clouds of dust.

Vincent breathed a sigh of relief, but Latour's expression grew even more serious.

"Five days from now... Holden will really do it," he said.

"Father, what should we do?"

Latour remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Get everyone ready."

He turned and went back to the castle, his steps heavy.

Enoya was waiting for him at the top of the stairs, her eyes red. Latour went over and hugged her.

"Ian will come back."

He spoke softly, unsure whether he was speaking to her or to himself.

"What if he doesn't come back?"

"Then..." Latour's voice was soft, "we need to consider the entire family."

He released his wife, walked back to his study alone, and closed the door.

Pull out the bottom drawer of the desk, and you'll find a copy of a contract that has been drafted, stamped with wax, but not yet signed.

That was a "final proposal" secretly sent by the Finance Minister's people.

The conditions were even harsher than those of the Marquess of Holden, bordering on plunder, but with a promise to preserve the family title and basic dignity.

Latour's fingers gently traced the cool parchment.

As the head of the family, his primary responsibility is to preserve the family and continue the bloodline.

To fight to the bitter end and have the entire family perish for a mine is foolish, not noble.

Signing it would allow his family to survive, but he would never have the face to face his ancestors in the afterlife.

I have no face to face my son, who may still be struggling somewhere.

"Wait for news from the caravan again..." he said to himself hoarsely as he closed the drawer.

If we still haven't heard from Ian by then...

He didn't finish his sentence, but a deep weariness and determination flashed in his eyes.

His aristocratic instincts told him that for the survival of the majority of his family members, his personal principles and dignity sometimes had to be compromised.

Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened.

Beyond the clouds, far, far away, a giant raven is breaking through the sea of ​​clouds and flying towards us.

The young man on his back opened his eyes.

He saw the coastline, the familiar outline of the mountains, he saw…

Blue flags fluttering over the castle.

Ian stood up.

"We're here," he said.

With a long, loud cry, it spread its wings and swooped down toward that land.